TOWN OF HILLSBORO BEACH

SPECIAL MEETING

NOVEMBER 3, 2006

4:00 P.M.

  MINUTES

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1.         Call to Order and Roll Call.

Mayor Sussman called the meeting to order at 4:00 P.M. Commission members present: Mayor Howard ‘Chuck’ Sussman, Vice Mayor Larry B. Fink, Commissioner Lee Bennett, and Commissioner Alan J. Polin; Commissioner Dan Dodge was in attendance by telephone.  Also present were Interim Town Attorney Jamie Cole, Town Manager/Clerk Robert Mearns, Police Officer Dave Clark, and approximately seven members of the public. 

Mayor Sussman stated that he wanted to move Item 4 to the top of the agenda in order to dispose of the matter.  Commissioner Polin stated that wanted to follow Robert’s Rules of Order in the conduct of Town meetings and requested the Interim Town Attorney to advise the Commission of the appropriate procedure for moving an item on the agenda.  Mr. Cole stated that to move an item required a vote of the Commission.  Motion made by Commissioner Polin to take the agenda in the order in which it was published, seconded by Commissioner Dodge.  Commissioners Bennett, Dodge and Polin voted Yes; Mayor Sussman and Vice Mayor Fink vote No.  Motion carried 3-2.

2.         Town Manager Interviews.

2.1 Colin Donnelly

Mayor Sussman asked whether any Commissioner had checked the references submitted by each candidate.  There were none.  Mayor Sussman stated that he had checked the references of each candidate and would read the findings to the Commission as each candidate was called.

Mayor Sussman said that Mr. Donnelly had received references that said he was loyal, hardworking and honest.

Mr. Donnelly entered the Chambers. 

Mayor Sussman asked Mr. Donnelly how he would run the Town.  Mr. Donnelly explained his philosophy on treating people fairly, budgeting and capital improvements.  Vice Mayor Fink asked how he would like working with small staff.  Mr. Donnelly said that would not be a problem.  Commissioner Bennett how long of a commitment would he give to the Town.  Mr. Donnelly replied that he did not know as he had professional goals he wanted to achieve and did not know how long that would take.  Commissioner Bennett asked Mr. Donnelly what his salary was in New Jersey, to which he replied $104,000.  Commissioner Polin asked Mr. Donnelly his philosophy on working with a five member Commission and being apolitical.  Mr. Donnelly replied that he would keep all informed on all matters and that he would comply with all direction given.  Commissioner Polin asked if he could work with a small staff, that the job was as a working CEO.  Mr. Donnelly responded that efficiency is the controlling factor, not staff size.  He stated that he had no bookkeeping experience, but that he was proficient at budgeting.  Commissioner Dodge asked what departments reported to him in his last position.  Mr. Donnelly said that the police, fire, finance, parks clerk, planning, building and public works departments did.  Mayor Sussman asked Mr. Donnelly if he had any questions.  Mr. Donnelly asked what the position was.  Mayor Sussman replied that it was Town Manager.  Mr. Donnelly asked what the goals of the Town were.  Mayor Sussman said charter review, maintaining a small-town feel and they were not interested in development.  Vice Mayor Fink said that the PEM system, a reverse osmosis water treatment plant and underground utilities were also goals of the Commission.  Mr. Donnelly exited the chambers.

Mayor Sussman asked for thoughts on Mr. Donnelly.  Vice Mayor Fink said that Mr. Donnelly was satisfactory.  Commissioner Bennett said that he did not think that the Town could match Mr. Donnelly’s monetary expectations.  Mayor Sussman said that Mr. Donnelly would have to learn about Florida law and connections on Town time.  Commissioner Polin said that Mr. Donnelly lacks a long-term commitment.

Janice Moore was interviewed next as Ms. Good arrived late.

2.3       Janice Moore

Mayor Sussman stated that Ms. Moore was from Manalapan, a community very similar to Hillsboro Beach.  Mayor Sussman read the reference comments that stated that Ms. Moore was highly recommended, that she was loyal and hardworking.

Ms. Moore entered the chambers. 

Ms. Moore distributed examples of graphic work she had produced for the Town of Manalapan.  Mayor Sussman asked Ms. Moore to give background information on herself.  Ms. Moore talked about her educational and work experience, and her volunteer work.  Mayor Sussman asked if she had any building permit experience.  Ms. Moore replied that she her first position with Manalapan was a permit and licensing clerk.  Vice Mayor Fink asked what concerns her most about being in charge.  Ms. Moore replied that although she will have five bosses, she will be directed through the voting process.  Vice Mayor Fink asked if she had Human Resource experience.  Ms. Moore said that she had created job description, personnel policy manuals and had participated in the discharge of a disgruntled employee.  Commissioner Dodge asked if she had any accounting experience.  Ms. Moore said that she had begun college as an accounting major, but changed to marketing, but that she had overseen line items and was good at TRIM notices.  Commissioner Dodge asked whether she understood monthly financial statements.  Ms. Moore said that she did.  Commission Dodge asked if she had any general ledger or accounts payable experience.  Ms. Moore said no, but that would not be an obstacle.  Commissioner Dodge asked if she had computer experience.  Ms. Moore said yes, that she was mostly self-taught.  Mayor Sussman asked how many police officers were in Manalapan.  Ms. Moore said thirteen.  Commissioner Polin asked what form of government did Manalapan have.  Ms. Moore said commission-manager form.  Commissioner Polin asked where she saw herself in three, five, and ten years.  Ms. Moore said that she liked to organize and improve communication with the residents, that she was a hands-on person who wanted to stay long-term with the Town.  Commissioner Polin asked what her current salary was, and what her motivation to leave Manalapan was. Ms. Moore said her salary was $55,600 and that she was maxed out in her position, that manager was the next logical step upward.  Commissioner Bennett asked what notice she would have to give.  Ms. Moore said that three weeks was fair.  Commissioner Polin asked what salary she wanted.  Ms. Moore said $68,000 to $70,000.  Mayor Sussman asked whether she had records digitized.  Ms. Moore responded that she had.  Mayor Sussman asked if she had prepared a budget.  Ms. Moore said she was unsure of the process.  Mayor Sussman asked how much notice she would have to give.  Ms. Moore said three weeks.  Ms. Moore asked if she were hired, would the Town renew her notary commission.  The consensus was yes.   Ms. Moore asked if the Town would pay for her memberships, continuing education and conferences.  The consensus was yes. 

Ms. Moore exited the chambers at this time.

Vice Mayor Fink said that he liked her.  Commissioner Polin said that she was exceptional.  Mayor Sussman said that she was a very good candidate.  Commissioner Bennett said that he thought she would do well here.  Commissioner Dodge said that he found her very well suited for the position.

Commissioner Polin said that he had contacted the city manager of Coral Springs and the manager agreed to supply help to the Town during period of transition.

2.2       Charity Good

Mayor Sussman explained that Ms. Good had been the city manager of Bay Harbor Village and had been approached by the town manager of Southwest Ranches to perform consulting work.  The work was approved by the Bay Harbor Village commission as other employees had been permitted to do outside work.  A disgruntled employee complained about the situation and she resigned the position in Southwest Ranches as well as Bay Harbor Village.  Mayor Sussman said that her references said that she was bright, a go-getter and a knowledgeable manager.

Ms. Good entered the chambers. 

Ms. Good talked about her twenty years experience in local government, her educational background and described her career as one that had progressively responsible experience.  Mayor Sussman asked her to describe her public issue.  Ms. Good related it to the Commission explaining that she had always been upfront with all parties and that the media blew it out of proportion.  Mayor Sussman asked what the size of Bay Harbor Village was.  Ms. Good said that had about 8,000 residents, a $10 million budget, five newly issued bonds to bury utilities and rebuild sewers.  Commissioner Bennett asked if this was a step back for her.  Ms. Good said that it was not because in every city, the manager reports to the Commission.  She stated that it was her goal to build a team.  Mayor Sussman asked how many department heads reported to her.  Ms. Goode said five in Bay Harbor Village and fourteen in Hallandale. Commissioner Polin asked if she felt comfortable as a working manager.  Ms. Good said that she was a doer and would do whatever it took to get the job done.  Commissioner Polin asked how she would work in an apolitical context.  Ms. Good said that she would remain neutral and find the right path.  Commissioner Polin asked what her salary expectations were.  Ms. Good responded that was subject to negotiation, that she currently earned $101,000 plus a $7,800 car allowance and a cell phone.  Commissioner Polin asked what her career vision was for three to five to ten years.  Ms. Good said that she liked the family atmosphere in Hillsboro Beach and that she saw herself here.  Commissioner Polin asked when she could start.  Ms. Good said immediately.

Ms. Good exited the chambers at this time.

3. Selection of Town Manager.

Commissioner Bennett said all were good, but Ms. Moore had done her homework.  Mayor Sussman said while she is personable, she is short on experience, and that Ms. Good could step into the job on Monday.  Vice Mayor Fink remarked that she shot right from the hip.  Commissioner Polin said that Ms. Good was a bit over the top, but Ms. Moore was personable.  Commissioner Dodge said he was impressed with Ms. Moore and that she would be a good fit for the Town.  He further stated that Ms. Good would find it hard to work in a small town.  There was discussion about the nature of city manager contracts and the pay scale and range. 

Motion made by Commission Polin to offer the position to Ms. Moore at a pay of $68,000, with a two year contract with a one year review and three months severance, seconded by Vice Mayor Fink.  Motion passed unanimously. 

Ms. Moore entered the chambers at this time.

Mayor Sussman read the terms of the contract offer to Ms. Moore.  Ms. Moore requested that the contract include three weeks vacation.  The Commission agreed to the vacation request.  Ms. Moore agreed to accept the offer subject to final review of the contract.

4.         Unprofessional Behavior by Bob Mearns

Mayor Sussman began the item by stating that this matter was pointless as Mr. Mearns was talking with his wife about personal matters.  There was discussion regarding whether there was eavesdropping or not.  There was discussion regarding whether the Mayor or Mr. Dodge should have introduced the item as Commissioner Dodge had placed the item on the agenda.  Commissioner dodge said he was disturbed by what he heard because he felt it placed the Commission and therefore the Town in a bad light.  He said that Mr. Mearns had been asked to not make negative comments at the previous Commission meeting.  Commissioner Polin agreed that the comments were inappropriate after Mr. Mearns had been previously warned about making such type comments.  Mayor Sussman said that the matter was pointless and nothing would come out of the discussion.  Mr. Mearns read his statement into the record. 

5.         Adjournment.

            6:43 P.M.

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MINUTES APPROVED BY

TOWN COMMISSION ON

November 14, 2006 ATTESTED TO

                                                                        ___________________

                                                                        Ms. Irene George, Acting Town Clerk